Mickelson Makes More Magic

There have been times in his brilliant career when Phil Mickelson has let the pressure of the moment get the best of him. It happened here two years ago when he bogeyed the 72nd hole and lost in a playoff. When it counted most on Sunday, however, the world’s fifth-ranked player showed why he is one of the best golfers in the world, calmly draining a six-foot putt on the famed 18th green to defend his Northern Trust Open title by one stroke at Riviera Country Club. Mickelson combined a couple of spectacular rounds (including a 62 on Saturday, one off the course record set by Ted Tryba in 1999) with two mediocre rounds to shoot a 15-under-par 269–three shots better than his winning total last February. He also pocketed the winner’s check of $1.134 million, though he admitted his 35th PGA Tour victory was anything but easy. “I’m pleased to be sitting here as the champion,” he said in the interview room later. “I started with a four shot lead and I won by one so obviously a lot of people beat me today. I was able to just hold on enough.” Mickelson looked like he might run away with the trophy after sinking a putt for an eagle on the first hole to increase his lead to seven shots, but after pulling an 8-iron and bogeying No. 2 he gradually watched his lead dwindle on the front nine. “The bad of it came in that I need to be a better frontrunner. The good thing was that I was able to fight hard. When I didn’t have my best stuff and I came out with birdies on 16 and 17 and a tough par on 18. That meant a lot to me.” Mickelson’s three-year Riviera run (second place, winner, winner) matches what Ben Hogan accomplished from 1946-48, the course being called “Hogan’s Alley” ever since in recognition of his mastery. “Well, I don’t think I’ve emulated his style of how he played Riviera. He seemed to drive it to the fairway a little bit more and what have you,” Mickelson said of Hogan, who he’ll undoubtedly join in the Hall of Fame someday. “I’ve been fortunate to play well here the last few years. I love this golf course. Growing up with the kikuyu grass and poa annua greens has helped.” After his drive on 14 found the front right bunker, Mickelson blasted out of the sand to within four feet but lipped out his par putt to fall two shots behind Steve Stricker, who was playing one group ahead of him. “The key shot for me was the 9-iron I hit on 16,” he said. “It was playing 152 [yards] with the downhill. I stuck it within five feet and made the putt.” Walking to the 17th tee, Mickelson saw that Stricker had bogeyed 18, meaning he could regain the lead with a birdie. He proceeded to hit his best drive of the tournament–straight down the fairway. His approach reached the front of the green, rolling to a stop 72 feet from the cup. He two-putted from there to move one stroke in front. Applying pressure all day were Mickelson’s playing partners, past Riviera champion Fred Couples and Argentinian Andres Romero. They finished tied for third with K.J. Choi at -13. “The greens were good but nobody made the putts,” said Couples, himself a winner at Riviera in 1990 and 1992. “I just don’t make every three, four for par. .You just cannot catch up on Sunday. There aren’t enough holes.” Couples’ second shot on 18 hit a tree, all but ending his hopes of forcing a playoff. Mickelson, meanwhile, guided his second shot to the right fringe, then placed himself in winning position below the hole, setting up his clinching par putt. For Stricker, it was an opportunity lost and, perhaps, a lesson learned: No lead is safe on a Sunday afternoon at Riviera. “This is bittersweet,” Stricker lamented. “I played well all week and I’m happy I was in a position to win but I’m disappointed I didn’t after being two strokes up.” Though much of the pre-tournament hype focused on Japanese teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa, who chose Riviera to make his pro debut, the 17-year-old missed the cut after playing the first two rounds in two over par. Almost forgotten in light of Tiger Woods’ announcement that he is returning to the PGA Tour this week for the Accenture Match Play Championships was Mickelson’s sparkling 63 last Thursday, by far the best opening round he has played this year. When a reporter sarcastically asked if he thought it was a mere coincidence, Mickelson wouldn’t take the bait: “No, we need him back. I love the challenge of trying to win with Tiger in the field. And I hope he stays healthy because it’s evident the game of golf needs him. The economy has been struggling, the sponsors have been struggling. To have him back is critical for the sport.” Yes, Tiger is back, but Lefty’s win at Riviera shows that he too is capable of winning anywhere, on any course. “This gives me confidence and something to build on for the rest of the year,” he said. “I’ll work with [swing coach] Butch Harmon on Tuesday and see if I can carry some momentum heading into Augusta.”